Earth Week events celebrate sustainability

The College will commemorate Earth Week starting Monday, April 18, with a variety of presentations and educational activities. All events are free and open to the public.

Monday, April 18: Environmentally-themed artwork made from recycled goods (mainly plastics) by St. Scholastica students and staff will be displayed in Storm's Atrium, on the ground floor of Tower Hall directly beneath the Mitchell Auditorium lobby. Paul LaJeunesse, assistant professor of art, is leading this initiative, which will be an interactive "art as activism" piece using plastic bottle caps to illustrate a point about the amount of waste produced by single-use plastic products.

Tuesday, April 19: First-year students in the College's Dignitas program will work on various service projects around campus. These will include outside clean-up, buckthorn removal, garbage pick-up, garden prep, etc. as weather permits.

7 p.m. Wednesday, April 20, Science Auditorium: documentary screening: "Racing Extinction" with an introduction from Janice Crede, sociology lecturer and sustainability educator, who will explain the film's ties to St. Scholastica's mission and values. The 2015 film examines mankind's role in the potential loss of at least half of the world's species. The screening is sponsored by the Psychology Department, and the campus club Earth Action will provide pop and popcorn.

4:30 - 8 p.m., Thursday, April 21, Benedictine Commons in the Science Center: Janice Crede will provide a brief welcome before musical performances by two local bands, The Boomchucks and Duluth singer/songwriter Mary Bue. The musical acts are sponsored by the Psychology Department and the Earth Action Club. Information will be on hand about environmental issues including factory farms, invasive species, and the Citizens Climate Lobby.

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Friday, April 22, Storm's Den on the ground floor of Tower Hall: Student group tables, including the BIO Club and the Earth Action Club. They will hand out information about their clubs.